The router on my LR3 just stopped working properly
I ordered a replacement, but I’d like to troubleshoot what’s wrong with this one, and maybe save it from the dump…
I’m using a Katsu router (makita clone), that has served as a palm router for 3-4 years, and as a spindle on the LR3 for the past couple month
It had been cutting for 30min, finished the file, and I just started a new one, when the router began to stutter and fluctuate in speed, as if it was slowly pulsating…
I turned it off and stopped the job before it ruined the workpiece
I tried starting it again, but then it just wouldn’t start at all, no spin…
Looking at the brushes, I think I might have a potential culprit here
I don’t have this specific router, so these are general ideas I can’t test out on your behalf.
I’ve seen folks on YouTube use scotchbrite pads to clean slip rings on generators. I’d also be willing to try electronic contact cleaner sprayed onto a long q-tip/cotton bud. I’m not sure how deep the hole you need to go through is, but I’d be willing to try hot gluing some scotchbrite to a bamboo skewer for the needed reach. If you’ve already got it opened, that’s not needed.
Don’t worry about the extra sparks, they’ll calm down once the surface of the brush has worn to better match the curve of the commutator.
Generally brushes need to seat themselves. Yours have a pre ground front end but that may not be perfect. I would run it on the lowest speed you can for a while and see if it laps itself in.
I bet the issue is carbon tracking in your speed thumb wheel.
I use acf50 for all my electronics and have had great success.
Have a look at the wiper and the contractor on the thumb wheel. And clean it up with iso.
A pencil eraser is also a great quick way to clean up contacts etc.
the bits of carbon that your brushes have shed also might be inside as well.
I just did mine a while ago. Sprayed with iso a lot brushed up and then acf50 if and wipe the residual.
I will try to buy some spray and splash it, thanks for the products list!
I looked into this yesterday and I cannot buy a replacement, shipping alone IS worth the price of the router…
I bought a separate 0-220v regulator on Ali, but it won’t be there before the end if september
It’s a pop cultural reference to the film old Yeller in which a much loved pet gets sick and is taken out the back of the woodshed with its owner carrying a rifle to be put out of its misery…
If you tinker with electronics see if you can get ahold of this stuff it’s truly amazing and has saved my bacon a lot.
If it’s sealed then not too much you can do but if you can get some of that cleaner inside. Move the switch a whole bunch of times as it might clean the surfaces. Sometimes they can’t be brought back as the copper contacts might be made of thing material and could have lost its contact tension over time or worn a flat spot.
I always try and fix things before I turf them.
I had a look when you originally posted it but it’s very hard to find here in France
Something like 30€ a can + 10/12€ shipping
Given the router was 45€, that’s maybe not reasonable
I tried to re-do the last job, the cut ended up wonky and it appears I skipped steps at some points
It looks like the router lost a significant part of its power somehow
I think I’ll just wait for the new spindle and just keep this one as a handheld trim router
And I surely and definitely didn’t wait for it to die so that I coud buy a brushless spindle, never even thought about such a scenario
I’m pretty sure the big hardware stores and some supermarkets carry an equivalent. I bought WD40 contact cleaner (NOT the regular stuff) in a supermarket, can’t remember if it was E.Leclerc or Cora.
I have some other brand on the boat, but I think it was from Leroy Merlin?
